Values:
Values are a measure of the worth or importance that we attach to something. They
are principles, qualities or standard that an individual or society holds in high regard.
They are the principles that serve as guiding principles in our lives. Values are the
basis of our behaviour and motivation. Our values may define how we behave in
response to an external stimuli.
Beliefs can be considered as a sub-set of values. They come from our experiences and
are important part of our identity. They may be cultural, religious, ethical or moral.
Beliefs are precious because they reflect who we are and how we spend our lives. Our
values and belief affect the quality of our work and all our relationships. Values are
long lasting beliefs. When our commitment grows and we perceive something to be of
importance, a belief becomes value. Beliefs are concepts that we hold to be true, in
reality, it may not be true whereas values are ideas that we hold to be important. Both
beliefs and values govern our behaviour and attitude. Beliefs may come from culture,
faith, education, experiences. Values are a result of the importance that we give to
happiness, wealth, career, success and family.
Shalom H. Schwatz in his article entitled
has identified six different attributes of values. They are as follows:
1. Values are beliefs that are tied to emotion and become instilled with feeling.
2. Values refers to certain desirable goal that motivates a person to take an
action.
3. Values surpass specific actions and situations. This distinguish it from norms
and attitude that primarily refers to actions, objects or situations.
4. Values act as standards that help to assess action, policies, people or
situations and guides an individual to decide what is good or bad, what is right
or wrong.
5. Values are ordered by importance relative to one another.
6. There is significant impact of relevant and competing values on an attitude or
behavior of an individual.
Types of Values:
1. Personal Values: Personal values are endorsed by an individual. Some people
regard success as their important value and hence spend less time with the
family whereas someone else may attach more importance to the family and
try to spend some time with the family.
2. Moral Values: Moral values are governed by the standards set by the society.
They help to determine if something is morally right or wrong. For example,
freedom, equality, fairness, charity etc.
3. Aesthetic Values: Aesthetic values are those which are associated with the
evaluation of artwork and beauty.
4. Patriotic Values: Patriotic values are those which instill patriotism in an
individual. This may be developed as a result of the family influences besides
other reasons.
Core Values:
1. Five Core values: The following five core values are important for all human
beings:
i) Integrity: Knowing and doing what is right even when the situations are
difficult.
ii) Respect: Treating others the way one wants to be treated in.
iii) Sportsmanship: Accepting both, victory and defeat without grudges and
bringing in the best to all the competitions and being resilient.
iv) Service for the common good: Being generous in empowering others
and helping them grow.
v) Being human: In the run for name and fame, humans have lost the value
of being humane. Being humane include qualities like being kind, social,
compassionate, and overall good Samaritans.
2. Core values of professionals:
There are some core values desired in a professional are:
i) Strong Work Ethic: An employee should have the willingness to
work hard for the organization. In modern times working hard
stands at par with working smart in terms of importance.
Employees should try to complete the work on time and exhibit
good time management skill. One should not waste the
organization’ s time in completing personal work. This is
strongly detested by the employer. The employee should exhibit
commitment towards work.
ii) Positive Attitude: A positive attitude helps the employees to
remain motivated to complete the job irrespective of the
inevitable hurdles that haunt every project or work. Having a
positive attitude will help motivate other employees too that
results in increased productivity and team work.
iii) Dependability and responsibility: Employees who come to work
on time and own the responsibility of their actions are valued
more by the employers. The employees should be dependable
too. When a task is assigned, the employee should keep the
supervisor abreast of the changes.
iv) Positivity: An employee who is positive and self-motivated
spreads positivity and cheer. A positive employee motivates
others and believes that the work will be completed. This belief
makes it easier for the work to be actually completed on time.
v) Honesty and integrity: There should be no difference in the words
and actions of an employee. The employee should practice what
he speaks about. An honest employee is an asset for the
employer.
vi) Professionalism: A professional behaviour is appreciated by the
employers. Professionals complete high quality work and are
detail-oriented. They are enthusiastic about their work and
optimistic about the future and growth of the organization. It also
includes learning all the aspects of the job and doing it to the best
of one’ s ability.
vii) Loyalty: If an employer cannot trust the employee, the relation is
not to last long. An employee must be loyal to the organization he
is working for. Passing on vital information to competitors,
behaving in a way as to damage the reputation of the
organization, make a person disloyal and hence detested.
Indian tradition and culture truly reflects the core human values. Such values highlight
the integrated view of a good life. The Indian system of four purusharthas highlights
four pointers of human life-
Dharma: It reflects personal virtues, duties and obligations in the society to uphold
harmony and order. It highlights the moral principles of a person and social conduct.
Artha: It includes the pursuit of material values of wealth and power.
Kama: The concept of Kama deals with sensual pleasures and fulfillment of natural
desires and inclinations.
Moksha: It means liberation, emancipation from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth
and attains a state of ultimate bliss.